I just do not like baking in any kitchen other than my own! Thank you, i need to get that off my mind.

I'm helping a friend make a cake, cupcakes, decorated cookies, and cake pops for her daughter's first Communion. We baked everything yesterday, and I'm not sure that any of it is going to be all that good. I feel really badly about that, but most of it is not my fault. I would have just prferred to do it all myself, in my own kitchen, with my own supplies. I'm spoiled!

It was so frustating to have to bake and not have the proper tools. A broken kitchen aid that only has one speed, only one spatula, only one whisk, no scoop to portion out the cupcake batter, no liquid measuring cups, an oven that was not level and burned the cookies, non-professional baking sheets, bad lighting, not enough counter space, no lazy susan, everything looking old and stained. (I'm kind of freaky when it comes to cookie sheets and baking pans, they need to always look close to new, I hate to see black on them.)

When I saw my husband later in the evening, I thanked him for all of the wonderful kitchen tools he has gotten for me over the years! I am truly grateful.

You are a nicer person than I am. I would have insisted on using my kitchen. Of course, if you have tgo out of town, that would be a bind. I agree about the cookie sheets. What Is that stuff? Nevermind...

Sorry you and your mom are not well. I hope everything works out for your event.

Thank you. I'm actually starrting to feel a lot better, but I am weak from not moving around much for three months. My blood pressure was getting really high and my heart rate was hovering over 110, going up to 130when I would go up the stairs. I'm happy to report that my heart rate is back to normal and the blood pressure is almost there. We have a lot of heart problems and diabetes in my family.

My mom's blood sugar spiked to almost 600 last week and then she had a heart attack. She had one leg amputated about 4-5 years ago. She's had an open wound on her other foot for the past 3 years and has been pretty much a prisioner in her room because of it (she is weak and it is hard for her to walk down the stairs.) the infection in her foot may have moved into the bone, which would mean having that foot or leg amputated also. The hospital also said she has an infection raging throughout her body. She's on three different kinds of antibiotics, and many pain meds, including morphine.

She is turning 65 in a few weeks. We were going to have a party for her, but now it's all up in the air.

Sorry for the sob story! Guess I'm just feeling really whiney today. Thanks for listening.

I don't really love cooking at all in someone else's home, let alone baking. They never have the herbs and spices that I use, I always end up subbing ingredients. I don't know how well their pans are going to work, or what temp their oven really is. Very irritating.

Sorry about all the trouble with your mom, hope that everything gets figured out!

SecretAgent, we just lost my husband's father because of diabetes. He refused the amputation. Your mother made the right decision. Best wishes on your recoveries.

Scp1127, I am very sorry to hear about your father-in-law.

My mother actually has refused amputation of the second leg/foot. Over a year ago the doctors recommended it. They keep tying to explain to her that she would have so much more mobility and much less pain, but she doesn't understand. She only agreed to have the first amputation when she ran out of options and the doctor told her she was not going to make it. She also doesn't grasp exactly what diabetes is. The other day she said, "I have no clue why my blood sugar went so high because I haven't eaten in three days!" sigh, I no longer know what to do for her, other than prayers. I think with her being so sick for so long, we are all prepared for whatever happens. The sad part is that she is not too old yet; she'll be 65 in a few weeks. I wish more people understood the severity of diabetes. Most people just think it has something to do with eating too much sugar. I'm on the verge of getting it myself, but surprisingly to the doctor, I have been able to keep it at bay with diet (still trying to work on the exercise part!) seeing first hand what it can do to a person, I don't want to end up like that. I still have a child to care for.

My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, scp1127.

SecretAgent, he would still be here if he had approved the amputation. His mobility would have been better in a wheelchair. And his son, my husband, was one of his physicians. He tried to convince him. Unfortunately, they think they have more time than they really do to make that decision. Hopefully, yor mom can be persuaded.

Sorry to hear about everyone family's health issues. Secret Agent I hope your mom feels better soon.

I'm going on family vacation next week and have already been assigned desserts for everyone for a week. I've started composing a list of items to bring and double checking the list every time I bake something to make sure I don't forget anything.